Trading Help & Advice

[mohaalmo]

Hi everyone,

I'm writing this thread with some frustration, sadness, and dissepiments.

I want to to change my current satiation. I have been trading for four years now. I have made some money but lost a lot. I don't have a strategy or an understanding of the stocks market. However, I want to change. I need help with building a chart setup in TOS. I want to split my capital, a half will be used for day trading and another half for swing (I don't even understand it well). What indicators would help me for these two? What setup? Any advice or recommendations would help

thanks,

 

[Clark2001]

Hi everyone,

I'm writing this thread with some frustration, sadness, and dissepiments.

I want to to change my current satiation. I have been trading for four years now. I have made some money but lost a lot. I don't have a strategy or an understanding of the stocks market. However, I want to change. I need help with building a chart setup in TOS. I want to split my capital, a half will be used for day trading and another half for swing (I don't even understand it well). What indicators would help me for these two? What setup? Any advice or recommendations would help

thanks,

Hi my friend, you are certainly not alone in the journey of trading. I have also been at it for 4 years and have been profitable at times but have blown a few accounts.

Trading is a process of time and patience and sometimes it takes years to become profitable. In my journey I have played with many chart indicators but I will tell you no matter what you have on your chart the market will always root back to price action. Intuition will be your best indicator and the only we can be profitable is by first understanding ourselves and what works best.

Chart indicators are best used to help make a decision that works in tandem with a strategy, not by themselves. If you do not understand it, I would first recommend going back and trading on simulated account to help practice, this way your not risking any money at all.

I can’t tell you how to trade cause everyone is different but I would recommend looking up the methods: [Support and Resistance] and [Supply and Demand]. There a lot of resources on YouTube that can help but these are the two baseline methods that market will always revolve around.

Trading can be frustrating, especially when we’re not profitable but again this takes time. I’ve known some people that took 8 years to get it right so you are most definitely not alone. This is only my take on this subject but I hope others can also offer pieces of advice that can help you in your trading journey.

Be well and take care!

 

[Trader Raider]

I have made some money but lost a lot. I don't have a strategy or an understanding of the stocks market.

NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE

Perhaps it would be helpful for you to spend time in paper trading while you are learning more about price action and developing a strategy that works for you. If it frustrates you to imagine not making money during the learning phase, you can consider parking your funds in something like treasuries or high-interest savings. That would allow you to earn while you learn

One of the biggest mistakes I made was trying to trade everything under the sun. When I stopped that and decided to follow just one instrument and learn it well, a lot of things started falling into place. It became easier to understand what indicators were (and weren't!) telling me. Same with recognizing patterns, anticipating measured moves, etc. For me, anyway, a lot fell into place when I watched one instrument across several timeframes instead of looking at dozens of different instruments. Of course, your learning style may be different.

Best wishes and happy trading.

 

[c3rfc1]

Everyone goes through what you are experiencing. I strongly recommend:

• the Schwab free Coaching videos and live classes. https://www.youtube.com/@tradertalkswebcasts
• Another great source is ShadowTrader.net. This used be be a free source on the TOS platform, however after the acquisition by Schwab the service was dropped. I still use them, great staff. My favorite is Brad Agunas.

Keep it simple works for me. Learn to read the chart, price should be your trigger then confirm with no more than 2 indicators. Any more than two indicators you are looking at the same data through different lens.

Slow and steady my friend, may profits be with you always.

 

[Splinter]

Trading is a very personal endeavor. So many parameters, techniques and markets to choose from. My first big frustration was figuring which instrument to trade, then comes learning all the well known strategies and basic components of the market (price action/volume etc). Then comes developing a profitable strategy that works with your schedule and personality, which can take a long time. Sprinkle in figuring out what kind of risk you feel comfortable with then of course the whole psychological aspect. It truly is a hard journey. Never feel bad about yourself and what has happened in the past regarding your trading experience, its the learning process that all traders go through.

My advice would be to get a basic understanding of price action and volume. Look into how the two relate to one another. "Volume Spread Analysis" can be very helpful. Also the Volume Profile can be interesting as well. (both of them searchable on this forum)

I'm on board with the above posters in that indicators are just telling you what your seeing through price action and volume. I do find use in indicators in that they provide a different perspective. I recommend investigating the different types of leading and lagging indicators (trend, momentum, volume etc). There is great info on this forum on creating a mix of indicators of different types that can give you a clearer view of what price is doing. Check out the "Explore" button on the top of the page.

Also I've found concentrating on very few instruments has been a big help. Its important to really watch and see how the instrument moves throughout the day. What repeatable patterns develop. What strategy works with this instrument. Is this instrument liquid enough that I can get in and out quickly and easily with minor slippage? Can I see things clearer with traditional candles or heikin ashi or Renko/Range bars? Take the time to experiment and see what makes you feel most comfortable and confident as your developing your strategy.

When you come up with what you think is a viable strategy then test it... a lot. Test it through choppy days when there's not a lot of momentum. Test it on FOMC days and through other big news. Do mock trades when the parameters of your strategy have been met and see how it pans out. Are you stopping out early all the time?... make tweaks and test it some more.

I hope this helps a bit... like I said this a tough journey and everyone's journey is different. What's great is that we have this supportive community to fall back on.

 

[mohaalmo]

Hi my friend, you are certainly not alone in the journey of trading. I have also been at it for 4 years and have been profitable at times but have blown a few accounts.

Trading is a process of time and patience and sometimes it takes years to become profitable. In my journey I have played with many chart indicators but I will tell you no matter what you have on your chart the market will always root back to price action. Intuition will be your best indicator and the only we can be profitable is by first understanding ourselves and what works best.

Chart indicators are best used to help make a decision that works in tandem with a strategy, not by themselves. If you do not understand it, I would first recommend going back and trading on simulated account to help practice, this way your not risking any money at all.

I can’t tell you how to trade cause everyone is different but I would recommend looking up the methods: [Support and Resistance] and [Supply and Demand]. There a lot of resources on YouTube that can help but these are the two baseline methods that market will always revolve around.

Trading can be frustrating, especially when we’re not profitable but again this takes time. I’ve known some people that took 8 years to get it right so you are most definitely not alone. This is only my take on this subject but I hope others can also offer pieces of advice that can help you in your trading journey.

Be well and take care!

thank you so much! I appreciate your input

 

[mohaalmo]

NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE

Perhaps it would be helpful for you to spend time in paper trading while you are learning more about price action and developing a strategy that works for you. If it frustrates you to imagine not making money during the learning phase, you can consider parking your funds in something like treasuries or high-interest savings. That would allow you to earn while you learn

One of the biggest mistakes I made was trying to trade everything under the sun. When I stopped that and decided to follow just one instrument and learn it well, a lot of things started falling into place. It became easier to understand what indicators were (and weren't!) telling me. Same with recognizing patterns, anticipating measured moves, etc. For me, anyway, a lot fell into place when I watched one instrument across several timeframes instead of looking at dozens of different instruments. Of course, your learning style may be different.

Best wishes and happy trading.

thank you so much! I need to start step by step and test strategies

 

[mohaalmo]

Everyone goes through what you are experiencing. I strongly recommend:

• the Schwab free Coaching videos and live classes. https://www.youtube.com/@tradertalkswebcasts
• Another great source is ShadowTrader.net. This used be be a free source on the TOS platform, however after the acquisition by Schwab the service was dropped. I still use them, great staff. My favorite is Brad Agunas.

Keep it simple works for me. Learn to read the chart, price should be your trigger then confirm with no more than 2 indicators. Any more than two indicators you are looking at the same data through different lens.

Slow and steady my friend, may profits be with you always.

thank you so much! I will check them

 

[mohaalmo]

Trading is a very personal endeavor. So many parameters, techniques and markets to choose from. My first big frustration was figuring which instrument to trade, then comes learning all the well known strategies and basic components of the market (price action/volume etc). Then comes developing a profitable strategy that works with your schedule and personality, which can take a long time. Sprinkle in figuring out what kind of risk you feel comfortable with then of course the whole psychological aspect. It truly is a hard journey. Never feel bad about yourself and what has happened in the past regarding your trading experience, its the learning process that all traders go through.

My advice would be to get a basic understanding of price action and volume. Look into how the two relate to one another. "Volume Spread Analysis" can be very helpful. Also the Volume Profile can be interesting as well. (both of them searchable on this forum)

I'm on board with the above posters in that indicators are just telling you what your seeing through price action and volume. I do find use in indicators in that they provide a different perspective. I recommend investigating the different types of leading and lagging indicators (trend, momentum, volume etc). There is great info on this forum on creating a mix of indicators of different types that can give you a clearer view of what price is doing. Check out the "Explore" button on the top of the page.

Also I've found concentrating on very few instruments has been a big help. Its important to really watch and see how the instrument moves throughout the day. What repeatable patterns develop. What strategy works with this instrument. Is this instrument liquid enough that I can get in and out quickly and easily with minor slippage? Can I see things clearer with traditional candles or heikin ashi or Renko/Range bars? Take the time to experiment and see what makes you feel most comfortable and confident as your developing your strategy.

When you come up with what you think is a viable strategy then test it... a lot. Test it through choppy days when there's not a lot of momentum. Test it on FOMC days and through other big news. Do mock trades when the parameters of your strategy have been met and see how it pans out. Are you stopping out early all the time?... make tweaks and test it some more.

I hope this helps a bit... like I said this a tough journey and everyone's journey is different. What's great is that we have this supportive community to fall back on.

thank you so much! I appreciate your input.

 

[apdusp]

You got good advice from other people in this community which you should consider. What I can add is that indicators are just tools that you can use to help achieve your plan. Nothing more than that.

What you really need is to establish a clear rule-based plan that you would ask a dumb robot to execute for you:

• How much time are you willing to dedicate to trading.
• How long are you willing to be in the trade?
• When to trade
• What to trade
• What is the amount you are willing to risk losing, and still sleep like a baby.
• What is your expected profit within the period defined in item 2
• Plan the exit of the position for each possible outcome, based in some eventual combination of:
• Profit
• Loss
• Time
• Indicators
• Amount of coffee drunk
• Etc
• Plan for a portfolio configuration that would be responsible for generating the results you are looking for.
• Establish a journal in which you register your planning, thoughts, and facts daily. You will review at least once per week, monthly, quarterly, and yearly. That is the best way to have personal feedback on your own trading activities.

In any case, the most important focus you should have is RISK Management above all the rest, and once you have the plan established, execute it just as a dumb robot would. As someone wisely once said, there’s a time to plan (use your brain) and there’s a time to execute (just do it!), just as with Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde split personality. NEVER forget that s..t happens with 100% probability, and you should have a plan for that too.



The first practical and most important step you need to take is EDUCATE yourself before committing real money. No exceptions here. There are tons of sources to learn from, some paid which you might consider a cheap investment and a lot of free YouTube videos as well as from other sources, including your broker’s, and last but not least, read good books on the subject of interest. Focus on quality over quantity!



The second practical step, while you are still learning is to paper trade, applying your plan rules, till you find you are satisfactory consistent in your management (I didn’t say profits). Trading with paper money trading is not the same as with real money for various reasons, execution for one though the most relevant is the lack of emotions, the human factor.



The third step is, AFTER that consistency, start with real money, in small amounts and only increase gradually as you get more confident in your trading.

 

[mohaalmo]

You got good advice from other people in this community which you should consider. What I can add is that indicators are just tools that you can use to help achieve your plan. Nothing more than that.

What you really need is to establish a clear rule-based plan that you would ask a dumb robot to execute for you:

• How much time are you willing to dedicate to trading.
• How long are you willing to be in the trade?
• When to trade
• What to trade
• What is the amount you are willing to risk losing, and still sleep like a baby.
• What is your expected profit within the period defined in item 2
• Plan the exit of the position for each possible outcome, based in some eventual combination of:
• Profit
• Loss
• Time
• Indicators
• Amount of coffee drunk
• Etc
• Plan for a portfolio configuration that would be responsible for generating the results you are looking for.
• Establish a journal in which you register your planning, thoughts, and facts daily. You will review at least once per week, monthly, quarterly, and yearly. That is the best way to have personal feedback on your own trading activities.

In any case, the most important focus you should have is RISK Management above all the rest, and once you have the plan established, execute it just as a dumb robot would. As someone wisely once said, there’s a time to plan (use your brain) and there’s a time to execute (just do it!), just as with Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde split personality. NEVER forget that s..t happens with 100% probability, and you should have a plan for that too.



The first practical and most important step you need to take is EDUCATE yourself before committing real money. No exceptions here. There are tons of sources to learn from, some paid which you might consider a cheap investment and a lot of free YouTube videos as well as from other sources, including your broker’s, and last but not least, read good books on the subject of interest. Focus on quality over quantity!



The second practical step, while you are still learning is to paper trade, applying your plan rules, till you find you are satisfactory consistent in your management (I didn’t say profits). Trading with paper money trading is not the same as with real money for various reasons, execution for one though the most relevant is the lack of emotions, the human factor.



The third step is, AFTER that consistency, start with real money, in small amounts and only increase gradually as you get more confident in your trading.

Thank you Thank you!!! I needed this

 

[csricksdds]

Hi everyone,

I'm writing this thread with some frustration, sadness, and dissepiments.

I want to to change my current satiation. I have been trading for four years now. I have made some money but lost a lot. I don't have a strategy or an understanding of the stocks market. However, I want to change. I need help with building a chart setup in TOS. I want to split my capital, a half will be used for day trading and another half for swing (I don't even understand it well). What indicators would help me for these two? What setup? Any advice or recommendations would help

thanks,

We have all gone through the stages you are going through and you've come to a good site for help. I posted a Tutorial yesterday titled: Can Trading Become Less Complicated in ThinkOrSwim. I also posted a tutorial called: Indicators: A "GPS" System For Trading in ThinkOrSwim (I don't know whether you saw these or not?). I also have a charting setup called AGAIG-BestTradingChartSetup which you might want to view for educational purposes. There are many chart setups on this site and I would recommend viewing some of the other charting as well. Lots of luck on your journey!

 

[Ditartyn]

If you're diving into swing trading, you know how crucial it is to have the right indicators at your disposal. From my experience, combining a few specific indicators can really make a difference. For instance, many traders find that using a combination of moving averages, Relative Strength Index (RSI), and Bollinger Bands can provide clear signals for entry and exit points.

 

[J Bishop]

G'day from Sydney! In the wild world of crypto, making a profit isn't just about luck; it's about strategy. One ripper method is algorithmic trading using bots. These little beauties can analyze market trends faster than a kangaroo on a trampoline, executing trades based on pre-set rules without the emotional baggage humans carry. For example, a momentum-based bot can identify and ride the wave of a rising asset, maximizing gains before the trend reverses. But, mate, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your investments across different cryptocurrencies to spread the risk. Also, always set your stop-loss orders to prevent a nosedive if the market turns sour. If you're keen to dive deeper into building your own trading bot, check out https://www.metapayglobal.io Remember, while bots can give you an edge, they need regular tweaking to keep up with the ever-changing market. Stay sharp and trade smart!

That's a great point! You're spot on about the right indicators being absolutely essential for swing trading, and that combination you mentioned - Moving Averages, RSI, and Bollinger Bands - is a classic for a reason. It really hits a sweet spot for many traders looking for clear and actionable signals. I especially agree that combining them is key. Just relying on one indicator can be misleading, but using them in conjunction allows you to confirm signals and filter out some of the noise. For instance, using moving averages to identify the trend direction, then using RSI to confirm momentum within that trend, and finally using Bollinger Bands to pinpoint potential entry and exit points around volatility is a really powerful approach.

Out of curiosity, do you find you adjust the settings on those indicators much, or do you tend to stick with standard parameters? It's always interesting to hear how different traders fine-tune their systems.

Thanks for sharing your experience! It's always helpful to hear what's working for others in the swing trading world.

 

[csricksdds]

That's a great point! You're spot on about the right indicators being absolutely essential for swing trading, and that combination you mentioned - Moving Averages, RSI, and Bollinger Bands - is a classic for a reason. It really hits a sweet spot for many traders looking for clear and actionable signals. I especially agree that combining them is key. Just relying on one indicator can be misleading, but using them in conjunction allows you to confirm signals and filter out some of the noise. For instance, using moving averages to identify the trend direction, then using RSI to confirm momentum within that trend, and finally using Bollinger Bands to pinpoint potential entry and exit points around volatility is a really powerful approach.

Out of curiosity, do you find you adjust the settings on those indicators much, or do you tend to stick with standard parameters? It's always interesting to hear how different traders fine-tune their systems.

Thanks for sharing your experience! It's always helpful to hear what's working for others in the swing trading world.

I personally keep my indicators set to my AGAIG charts as posted on this site and rarely change them...I basically day trade for Fridays or a week out after Wednesday noons and sometimes place spreads but usually Calls/Credits ATM or first ITM.

 

[FellowTrader]

Hey, I follow these ::

Day trading is as much mental as it is technical. Most traders fail not because of strategy, but because of psychology and discipline. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the psychological factors to follow for successful day trading:

1. Emotional Discipline
• Control fear and greed: Fear makes you exit too early, greed makes you overstay or overtrade.
• Stay neutral: Treat each trade as just another repeatable experiment.
• Detach from outcomes: Focus on process, not results.

2. Strict Risk Management
• Always define risk per trade and daily stop-loss.
• Psychological benefit: knowing your max loss is capped reduces anxiety and prevents impulsive trades.
• Accept small losses without guilt — they’re part of trading.

3. Patience and Waiting for A+ Setups
• Many new traders force trades out of boredom or overconfidence.
• Psychology tip: treat the market like a job, not a casino. Only take trades that meet your strict criteria.

4. Consistency Over Impulses
• Stick to your routine (pre-market prep, morning trades, VWAP/ORB setups, stop trading midday if no setups).
• Avoid revenge trading after a loss — it’s an emotional trap.

5. Focus and Flow
• Maintain focus; avoid distractions (phones, news feeds, social media) during trading.
• Use a checklist for every trade:
1. Does it meet strategy rules?
2. Is risk acceptable?
3. Does market context support it?

6. Handling Wins and Losses
• Wins: Avoid overconfidence. Don’t increase size impulsively.
• Losses: Analyze objectively. Did you follow rules? If yes, accept it. If no, adjust behavior.
• Keep a trading journal for emotions and decisions.

7. Stress and Physical Health
• Fatigue or hunger impairs decision-making.
• Schedule breaks, eat well, hydrate, and sleep enough.
• Exercise reduces stress and improves focus.

8. Mindset Practices
• Meditation / mindfulness: Reduces impulsivity, helps maintain calm.
• Visualization: Imagine trades going according to plan and sticking to stops.
• Affirmations: “I trade the plan, not emotions.”

9. Avoid Comparison & Ego Traps
• Don’t compare yourself to other traders on social media.
• Focus on your process, your account, your growth.
• Ego can lead to overtrading or revenge trades.

10. Accept Market Uncertainty
• No strategy wins 100% of the time. Losses are inevitable.
• Psychology tip: view losses as tuition, not failure.

Key Takeaways
1. Process over outcome – follow your rules consistently.
2. Manage risk – never let one trade or day ruin your account.
3. Emotional control – fear and greed destroy profits faster than strategy mistakes.
4. Discipline & routine – pre-market prep, trade checklist, journaling.
5. Health & focus – body and mind matter as much as charts.

 

[FellowTrader]

This helped best for me::

Pre-Market (Before the Session)
• Reviewed economic calendar & news for the day (CPI, FOMC, tech earnings).
• Marked key levels: previous day high/low, overnight futures, VWAP, gamma strikes.
• Set daily profit target & daily max loss (stop trading if reached).
• Visualized executing trades perfectly: entries, exits, stops.
• Checked physical state: well-rested, hydrated, fed, focused.
• Affirmation: “I trade the plan, not emotions.”

During Market Hours
• Only take trades that meet A+ setup criteria (ORB, VWAP, gamma walls).
• Risk per trade ≤ 1–2% of account.
• Stop-loss is in place before entry.
• No revenge trades after losses — follow the plan.
• Track emotional state: calm, focused, not chasing or forcing trades.
• Avoid distractions: social media, news feeds, unrelated conversations.
• Maintain proper posture, breathe, stay relaxed.

End-of-Day (After Trading)
• Journal all trades with screenshots, entries, exits, and reasoning.
• Record emotional notes: were you calm? Greedy? Impulsive?
• Analyze mistakes: rules followed vs. deviated.
• Celebrate wins modestly, accept losses objectively.
• Review whether daily target or stop-loss was reached.
• Plan focus for next trading day.

Weekly / Long-Term Maintenance
• Review weekly PnL & win rate.
• Review repeated mistakes & emotional triggers.
• Adjust risk sizing if needed.
• Reflect: “Am I improving process, not outcome?”
• Take rest days to reset mindset and avoid burnout.

Quick Tips for Mental Strength
• Stick to routine — repetition builds discipline.
• Detach ego from money — it’s just numbers, not a reflection of self-worth.
• Focus on probability — each trade is a repeatable scenario.
• Use mindfulness or breathing exercises between trades..